The other day, someone asked me how I came to open CrossFit Fortis. It’s a question that made me pause and reflect on the incredible journey that led me here, to creating and running this community-centered CrossFit gym. So, I decided to share my story, “Building CrossFit Fortis”, with everyone because, ultimately, Fortis is a labor of love, and every piece of my journey is woven into the fabric of this place.
Growing Up a Sports Fanatic
From as far back as I can remember, I was always on the move. Growing up, sports weren’t just something I did—they were who I was. Winters were spent out on random ponds, playing hockey until my fingers and toes were numb. Summers? They were all about baseball, which quickly became my sport. By 13, baseball had completely captured my focus, and I started training specifically for that. I threw myself into every drill, every run, and every practice with everything I had. Improvement was my sole aim, and I was willing to put in whatever work was needed to make that happen.
Living the Dream on a Full Ride
All the hard work paid off when I received a full scholarship to a D-1 school in the States. Moving to the U.S. to play at that level was a dream come true. Training became even more intense, and I was surrounded by incredible athletes who pushed me to constantly strive for more. It was an amazing experience that further fueled my passion for fitness and sports.
Returning to Canada: New Challenges and Realizations
After college, I came back home to Canada and had the opportunity to keep playing in the Intercounty Baseball League, an independent league in Ontario. I also attended Brock University, where I continued my studies in Kinesiology and played baseball at the university level. Training, practice, and playing filled my days, but I was loving every second of it.
Then, in 2008, I graduated and decided it was time to hang up my cleats. It was a major life transition, and with baseball behind me, I felt like I’d lost a piece of myself. Sports and training had been my identity for so long that I suddenly found myself searching for something new. I took a position as a trainer at one of Canada’s largest gyms, but the excitement I used to feel about training had dwindled. Without a clear goal to work toward, I struggled to find that same fire.
Discovering CrossFit and Reigniting the Passion
During this time, I stumbled upon CrossFit while browsing online. I was immediately drawn to it. The combination of high-intensity workouts and the competitive edge brought me back to the days of training for baseball. But now, the challenge was about pushing myself to new personal bests rather than preparing for a game. I introduced CrossFit-style workouts to my clients, and the results were inspiring. Seeing their progress reignited my passion for coaching and training, and I knew I wanted to pursue CrossFit further. I went to Toronto to get my CrossFit Level 1 certification and fully immerse myself in this incredible training style.
Seeking a Better Way: From Trainer to Gym Owner
At the time, I wasn’t entirely happy with the traditional gym business model where I worked. It felt like members were treated as numbers, with management more focused on profit than people. The gym banked on members signing up and eventually losing motivation, but hopefully still paying their membership fees. It didn’t sit right with me. I wanted a place where people would feel valued, a space that inspired them to show up, not just for themselves but for a supportive community.
I realized that if I wanted to build a place like that, I’d have to create it myself. A space that put members first, valued their goals, kept them accountable, and celebrated their progress every step of the way. That’s when the idea of CrossFit Fortis was born.
The Beginnings of Building CrossFit Fortis
In 2011, I took a leap of faith and set out to create CrossFit Fortis. In May of 2012, we officially opened our doors in a former Blockbuster building on the east end of Innes, in the east side of Orleans. Starting from scratch wasn’t easy, but with each new member who joined, the vision came to life a bit more. Fortis became a place where people pushed themselves to new heights, supported one another, and transformed both physically and mentally.
Twelve Years and Countless Success Stories Later
It’s now been over 12 years since we opened, and what a journey it’s been. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has been a part of Fortis over the years. My wife Steph has been there since the beginning, believing in me and this vision. She’s been a constant source of strength, taking on more and more over the years, and together we’ve created a place that’s become our happy space.
We’re also extremely grateful to have such a positive environment to raise our daughters. CrossFit Fortis allows them to see firsthand that hard work pays off, that fitness is a priority in life, and that happiness is rooted in being together with others. Seeing them grow up in this community is truly special, knowing they’re learning values that go beyond physical fitness.
Seeing the transformations, the friendships, and the community that’s developed at Fortis has been the most rewarding part of this journey. Every story of success, every small win, every goal achieved—those moments are why I do what I do.
Thank you for being a part of this journey, for allowing me to do what I love every day, and for making CrossFit Fortis the incredible community it is today. Here’s to many more years of growth, progress, and shared successes!